Air Conditioner winter prep

[Buckcountry]

Is it a good or bad idea to cover your outside air conditioner unit for the winter months? I have always covered it and then a buddy told me this weekend you don't want to cover it because it will trap moister inside the unit. What are your thoughts? Thanks

[ribsey_77]

the A/C was built to be outside in the elements. no need to place a cover it. If leaves get in it no big deal they will rot away. If your unit is near a roof valley where there is ice build up you could place a piece of wood to prevent damage that way but other than that you are going to be better off not to cover it. when it gets warm in the spring early and your wife forgets about it and turns the A/C on you wont damage the whole unit. This is coming from a guy who job is to work with these systems everyday!

[Buckcountry]

Thanks. I already have a cover for it, would it do any damage by covering it?

[CJH]

I put a cover on but roll it up half way so air can get in and keep everything dry.

[CAMAN]

If leaves get in it no big deal they will rot away.

That's what I was taught also...that is until I was having problems with the AC not cooling and tripping the circuit breaker in the summer. I took the housing off and discovered the bottom half of the condenser was COVERED in dirt. Leaves sitting in there all winter and spring will not rot away, they will just sit there hold moisture and probably damage the unit worse than covering it. In the summer when you turn it on the leaves will get sucked into condenser and that is where they will rot away, turning to dirt and stay there until you get the hose out and spray from the inside of the unit and vacuum everything out. My AC thanked me after that by cooling my house faster and using less energy, thus lower electric bills. A half hour of cleaning and covering the unit properly before the leaves fall will save you a TON the next year. The freeze thaw during the winter isn't good for any of the components either, chunks of ice hanging from the fan and condenser and water freezing in the bearings will damage the unit faster than anything.

Cover it properly and leave a couple openings at the bottom so a little air can flow through and your AC will treat you right and last for years to come.

[ribsey_77]

So when the air flows from the outside-in how does the [PoorWordUsage] on the bottow get sucked into the coil? You need to wash the coil yearly anyway for top performance. What can get damaged by the ice? the completly sealed motor. most damage to the coil is from dog pi**

[BobT]

Because ice expands and contracts and this can do almost as much damage as a hammer, maybe more 'cause it can do it from inside the coils.

There's also the issue of heat loss during the winter.

The following comes from an air conditioner manufacturer's HSOforum.

Quote:

1. During winter, always keep the compressor covered to protect it from the cold weather and unkind conditions such as snow. Ideally, an appropriate compressor cover should be bought when purchasing the air conditioner.

2. Check your air conditioner hoses for any leaks. It is recommended to do this before the start of winter and before the start of summer. This will help you identify any problem before it escalates into something big for repair.

[beaver11]

just put a piece of wood on top with a small brick on it.if its totally covered mice find it to be a nice place in the winter and could chew on wires also

[CAMAN]

So when the air flows from the outside-in how does the [PoorWordUsage] on the bottow get sucked into the coil? You need to wash the coil yearly anyway for top performance. What can get damaged by the ice? the completly sealed motor. most damage to the coil is from dog pi**

Sorry if I wasn't totally clear, I have the box style AC (Ruud brand) where the entire coil is covered with a metal housing and there is a large gap in between it and the coil. The leaves get in between there and I would hose it out a couple times a year and just let the leaves fall to the bottom. They were fine when they were wet but once they dryed and the unit turned on they get sucked into the coils and stay there until they rot and turn to dirt and that stuff is like cement when it dries. I have started to disassemble the entire housing and vacuum out the junk that accumulates every fall right before I cover it so more leaves to get into it. I can see the newer styles where the coils are on the outside of the unit not being a problem. But still why would you want to leave the leafs in there where they will rot and hold moisture that could damage the unit?

In response to how will ice damage the unit. Like BobT said ice expands. Snow builds up and gets blown into all the areas of the unit. During the winter, especially here in MN we have a constant freeze/thaw/freeze/thaw cycle and if you have sun shining on the unit it is almost a daily occurence. When water freezes it expands. When the snow melts the water is able to get into area and is going to get on the seals of the motor and gets into the coils and into the seal on the electrical box. The water expands when it freezes and over time those seals will be damaged. The snow and water that gets between the coils, freezes and expands and could crack the coils.